EOTech Pre-Purchase Questions

[Brumey]

Hello:
I am pretty sold on the EOTech sights. Still not sure which model, they have so many its confusing.

My proposed use is to move it between AR rifles as needed. It will be on a couple of .223's and a couple of .300 AAC. Obviously I am interested in the Quick Release mounting. So, here are my questions for those better informed than me:

1) As I am shooting two different calibers, would the reticle with 1, 2 or 4 dots (hold overs) be of use to me when shooting .300 AAC? I believe they are for the .223/5.56 round. Would I be better just one dot or do the .223 hold overs equate to something worthwhile and usable in a .300?

2) I know they do a .300 AAC model so same question applies - Will that only be good for .300 AAC and confusing on a .223.

3) I am considering the 3x magnifier or getting the sight as a kit with the magnifier. As I am swapping back and forth and will have a 3x9 Redfield Revolution TAC scope, do I even need the magnifier?

4) I think I am interested in the EXPS2-0, or 2 or 4 Not sure I need NV but it would be got to have just in case I get a little more tactical.

Thanks for your help and opinions.

[taifei]

Idk about other people but I do not like buying an optic to swap between rifles. You are paying the big bucks for quality to hold zero but each time you swap to a different rifle, you will have to rezero the sight. Often this is not just a vertical change that can be adjusted with holdovers (that you will have to remember for each rifle). This will cost money (ammo) and range time. If possible, you should look at the reticles in person because while the 2 dots look clear in a picture, some people's old eyes blur them together. However, when I am wearing correct prescription lenses, I do like the 2 dot system.

[tonyxcom]

IMO, red dot sights aren't ideal for moving between rifles because of the way they adjust. There isn't really a fool proof way to record your settings between rifle changes for more than 2 rifles.

Also it is very unlikely that the Eotech QD mount, once adjusted for one rifle, will be adjusted perfectly for the other rifles as well.

All this is moot of course if you plan on rezeroing the red dot every change.

My recommendation for your particular scenario is a high quality 1-4 optic with exposed turrets in a Bobro mount. The exposed turrets give you a way to record full rotations of the turrets when switching between rifles and the Bobro mount will automatically adjust for different rail sizes between rifles.

[Brumey]

Thanks for your feedback and opinions.

I guess I was hoping that switching back and forth on the AR platform would result in close to zero based on the upper being "mil spec".

I am definitely interested in the reticle question and having 4 dots set for .223 hold over when used on a .300 AAC.

[tonyxcom]

Those dots will work for any caliber and any gun and any bullet weight. The only thing that will change are the distances. You just need to figure them out for each gun.

[Brumey]

Okay... I ordered a HS1 EOTech 4 dot with magnifier on Sunday. I really had not finished my research and I am now having doubts.

I keep hearing that the 4 dot model is really fuzzy and not practical without the magnifier. For $1089 I expect more. I read on the EOTech website that they state the 4 dot is great for CQB yet in the next paragraph, they say the dots are fuzzy without the magnifier. I really wanted to use the sight only for CQB and magnifier for reaching out.

Here is a reply to the issue from EOTech:

The exps3-4 emulates an ACOG... a magnified optic with 4 aiming dots for 300 400 500 600 meters
These dots are distinguishable with the magnifier as designed. Without the magnifier unless you have the eyes of a fighter pilot the usually appear as a pixilated line.
That being said, the versatility and value of this product is for cqb, you do not use the dots at all... you just put centermass inside the 65moa circle. For a sniper shot a 7 yd you use the bottom of the outer ring and the 6 oclock hash mark. For 50 yd you use the top dot or... as it may be the top of the pixilated line.

So, With these doubts, I may have to send the product back for a refund and look at the following options:

1) Single dot EOTech, no magnifier.
2) Aimpoint
3) ACOG

Thanks for everyones help. I may start a new thread focused on the ACOG.

[Merc1138]

Yes, eotechs are fuzzy. When they say CQB, clearing rooms with maybe 10 yards down a hallway, the slight fuzzyness isn't going to matter. That's what the 65moa circle is for, and you WILL hit someone with that pointed at their torso at 10 yards. An eotech(or any red dot) is not a precision sight for shooting tiny groups(not that it can't be done, but it's not something to be expected, especially considering your own skill level).

Now if the eotech is actually an unusable fuzzy blur, that's possibly your eyesight and not the eotech's fault. A simple test for this is to take a picture of the reticle, non magnified, with a basic camera(cheapo digital or a cellphone will do). If the reticle looks different in the picture than it does when you look at it yourself(it should still look pixelated in the picture), time to visit the optometrist(it's likely an astigmatism).

If the reticle still looks like an unusuable mess in the picture, contact eotech.

edit: The other thing to consider(also applies to red dots, not just an eotech) is that if you have the brightness turned up too far, the reticle is going to bloom and look like a mess as well.

[Brumey]

Appreciate the information. I am beginning to realize that there really isn't an "all size fits all" for AR optical devices.

I am going to read more about ACOG's but I am thinking my best move maybe to have a CQB sight and a separate scoped rifle for the midrange stuff. I might still consider the EOTech but the single dot and forget the 3x magnifier.

Lots o choices, limited budget!

[DoubleA]

Check out Aimpoint PRO before you make a final decision.

[rodbaby]

I have a EOtech 517 (AA batteries) and a EOtech 3x magnifier on my 450 Bushmaster. This is my pig gun. I love it! These optics make for the ultimate brush gun.
The 517 had a problem--something rattled loose inside the housing. Way out of warranty.
I contacted EOtech.
They repaired it at no cost to me.
I'm very pleased with their customer service.

[SuperSet]

Okay... I ordered a HS1 EOTech 4 dot with magnifier on Sunday. I really had not finished my research and I am now having doubts.

I keep hearing that the 4 dot model is really fuzzy and not practical without the magnifier. For $1089 I expect more. I read on the EOTech website that they state the 4 dot is great for CQB yet in the next paragraph, they say the dots are fuzzy without the magnifier. I really wanted to use the sight only for CQB and magnifier for reaching out.

Here is a reply to the issue from EOTech:

The exps3-4 emulates an ACOG... a magnified optic with 4 aiming dots for 300 400 500 600 meters
These dots are distinguishable with the magnifier as designed. Without the magnifier unless you have the eyes of a fighter pilot the usually appear as a pixilated line.
That being said, the versatility and value of this product is for cqb, you do not use the dots at all... you just put centermass inside the 65moa circle. For a sniper shot a 7 yd you use the bottom of the outer ring and the 6 oclock hash mark. For 50 yd you use the top dot or... as it may be the top of the pixilated line.

So, With these doubts, I may have to send the product back for a refund and look at the following options:

1) Single dot EOTech, no magnifier.
2) Aimpoint
3) ACOG

Thanks for everyones help. I may start a new thread focused on the ACOG.

I use the 3-4 model and I think the correct description is that the dots are not individually distinguishable without magnification. The BDC dots will look like a solid line at 1X, until you view them under the magnification where they will break out into their individual dots.